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B1 noun 9 min read

出産

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 出産 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 出産 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 出産 (shussan) means 'giving birth.' You might not use it yourself yet, but you will see it in basic texts about families. At this stage, focus on the fact that it involves a mother and a baby. You can think of it as the formal way to say 'baby is coming.' Most beginners use the simpler verb umaremasu (is born) or umimasu (gives birth), which is perfectly fine. Just recognize 出産 as the noun form. For example, if you see a picture of a baby in a textbook, the caption might say 'shussan.' It's a key word for understanding family-related vocabulary. Don't worry about the complex kanji yet; just remember the sound 'shussan' and its association with babies. You might hear it in a simple sentence like 'Kanojo wa shussan shimashita' (She gave birth).

At the A2 level, you should start using 出産 (shussan) in simple sentences, especially when talking about life events. You can combine it with suru to make a verb. This is the level where you learn about 'due dates' (shussan yoteibi) and 'celebrations' (shussan iwai). You should be able to tell a friend that someone in your family gave birth using this word. It's also useful for reading simple news snippets or social media posts. You'll notice that it's more formal than just saying 'baby was born.' At A2, you are building the foundation to talk about health and hospitals, so knowing shussan helps you navigate basic medical conversations. Practice saying 'Shussan omedetō' to congratulate friends. You should also be aware of the difference between shussan (the act) and akachan (the baby).

As a B1 learner, you should understand the nuance that 出産 (shussan) is the standard formal term for childbirth. You can use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Shussan o ki ni shigoto o yameta' (She quit her job on the occasion of childbirth). You should be comfortable using it in work contexts, like discussing maternity leave (shussan kyūka). At this level, you can distinguish between natural birth and other types of delivery in a general sense. You'll also encounter it in discussions about Japanese society, such as the declining birth rate. You should know that shussan is a noun that often takes the particle o when used with suru. You are moving beyond just 'baby talk' and into discussing the social and medical aspects of the event. It's important to use this word correctly in formal letters and emails.

At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss the nuances of 出産 (shussan) in detail. This includes understanding related terms like anzan (easy birth) and nanzan (difficult birth), and how they are used in cultural rituals (like visiting a shrine for anzan). You should be able to read medical brochures or newspaper articles that use shussan in the context of healthcare policy, insurance, and demographic trends. Your vocabulary should include compound words like kōrei-shussan (late-age childbirth) and shussan-hiyo (childbirth costs). You can participate in a debate about the challenges of shussan in modern Japan, including the lack of hospital beds or the cost of delivery. At this level, your use of the word should be natural and appropriately formal, reflecting a deep understanding of Japanese social norms regarding family and birth.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of 出産 (shussan) and its place in the Japanese linguistic landscape. You can differentiate it from more technical terms like bunben (delivery) and understand when a writer chooses one over the other for stylistic effect. You are familiar with the legalities surrounding shussan, such as the shussan-todoke (birth registration) process and the specific laws governing maternity rights. You can analyze literary works where the theme of shussan is used metaphorically or as a pivotal plot point. You understand the historical evolution of the word and the cultural shifts in how birth is perceived in Japan (e.g., the move from home births to hospital births). Your speaking and writing should reflect a native-like ability to use the word in academic, professional, and highly formal social settings without hesitation.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 出産 (shussan) is exhaustive. You can discuss the word's etymology, its kanji components, and its relation to other 'production' words in Japanese. You are capable of interpreting complex demographic data involving shusshō-ritsu (birth rates) and shussan-nenrei (age of childbirth) with precision. You can navigate high-level medical or legal discussions regarding reproductive rights, surrogacy, and advanced obstetric care where shussan is a core term. You are also aware of regional dialects or archaic terms for birth that might appear in historical documents or classical literature. You can provide nuanced explanations to others about why shussan is used in a specific context over tanjō or umu. Essentially, your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, including the ability to use it in puns, metaphors, or highly specialized professional discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

出産 in 30 Seconds

Formal noun for childbirth and delivery.
Combines 'exit' (出) and 'birth/production' (産).
Used in medical, legal, and formal social contexts.
Can be used as a verb with 'suru' (to give birth).

The Japanese word 出産 (しゅっさん - shussan) is a formal and comprehensive noun that refers to the biological and social act of giving birth or delivery. While the verb umu (産む) is a more general term for 'to bear' or 'to give birth,' 出産 carries a more clinical, official, and respectful weight. It is the term you will encounter in hospitals, government documents, and formal announcements. It combines the kanji 出 (shutsu - to come out/exit) and 産 (san - birth/production), literally translating to the 'exit of birth.' This word covers the entire process of labor and delivery, and when combined with the auxiliary verb suru, it becomes 出産する (to give birth).

Medical Context: In a hospital setting, healthcare providers use 出産 to discuss the method of delivery, such as natural birth or C-section. It is the standard term for medical records.
Social Context: When announcing a new arrival to colleagues or distant relatives, 出産 is preferred over more colloquial terms. It signals a significant life milestone.

妻は先週、元気な男の子を出産しました。(Tsume wa senshū, genki na otoko no ko o shussan shimashita. - My wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy last week.)

Understanding the nuance of 出産 requires looking at the broader cultural value of birth in Japan. It is not just a medical event but a communal one. The word is often paired with iwai (celebration) to form 出産祝い (shussan-iwai), which refers to the traditional gifts given to new parents. Because the word is formal, it is rarely used for animals in a casual setting unless one is speaking scientifically; for pets, owners might use akachan ga umareta.

Furthermore, 出産 is frequently used in discussions regarding Japan's demographics. Terms like shusshō-ritsu (birth rate) are related, but 出産 remains the core noun for the physical act itself. It is a word that commands respect and carries an emotional gravity that casual verbs lack. Whether you are filling out a form at the ward office (kuyakusho) or writing a card, this is the essential term for the start of a new life.

初めての出産はとても不安でしたが、助産師さんが助けてくれました。(Hajimete no shussan wa totemo fuan deshita ga, josanshi-san ga tasukete kuremashita. - I was very anxious about my first childbirth, but the midwife helped me.)

Public Policy: The Japanese government provides 出産育児一時金 (shussan ikuji ichijikin), a lump-sum allowance for childbirth and childcare, highlighting the formal nature of the word.

Using 出産 correctly involves understanding its role as a 'suru-verb' noun. While you can use it as a standalone noun (e.g., 'the birth'), it most commonly functions as the action of giving birth. Because it is a formal word, it is often accompanied by honorifics or polite verb endings. In Japanese, the focus is often on the safety and health of the process, leading to the common phrase an-zan (easy delivery) or nan-zan (difficult delivery).

Noun Usage: Used as a subject or object: Shussan wa taihen desu (Childbirth is difficult). Here, it describes the event as a concept.
Verb Usage: Used with 'suru': Kanojo wa gōka na byōin de shussan shita (She gave birth at a luxurious hospital).

出産予定日はいつですか？ (Shussan yoteibi wa itsu desu ka? - When is your due date?)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the particles. Usually, 出産 is preceded by the object being born (if specified) followed by the particle o. However, often the baby is implied, and the sentence focuses on the mother's action. In formal writing, you might see shussan ni tachiau (to be present at the birth), which is a common phrase for fathers or partners.

In professional environments, such as a workplace where a colleague is taking leave, you would use shussan kyūka (maternity leave). This illustrates how 出産 acts as a prefix for various legal and administrative terms. If you are describing the experience of labor, you might say shussan no itami (the pain of childbirth). The word is versatile but consistently maintains its serious, respectful tone.

彼女は出産後も仕事を続けるつもりだ。(Kanojo wa shussango mo shigoto o tsuzukeru tsumori da. - She intends to continue working even after giving birth.)

Compound Phrases: 出産費用 (shussan hiyō) - Childbirth expenses.
高齢出産 (kōrei shussan) - Giving birth at an older age.

You will encounter 出産 in various real-life scenarios in Japan, ranging from news broadcasts to private hospital rooms. Because Japan faces a declining birth rate, 出産 is a frequent keyword in political speeches and economic reports. Politicians often discuss shussan shien (childbirth support) to encourage young couples to have children. If you watch the news, you will hear statistics about the number of shussan per year.

In the Media: News reports on celebrities often use the phrase dai-isshi o shussan (gave birth to her first child). It is the standard journalistic term.
At the Hospital: Signs in medical facilities will point toward the shussan-shitsu (delivery room). Doctors will ask about your shussan-reki (childbirth history).

ニュースで芸能人の出産報告を見ました。(Nyūsu de geinōjin no shussan hōkoku o mimashita. - I saw a celebrity's childbirth announcement on the news.)

In a social setting, friends might use the word when discussing their future plans or past experiences in a slightly more serious tone. While akachan ga umareta is common for 'the baby was born,' the word 出産 is used to describe the ordeal or the medical event. For example, 'Shussan wa dō deshita ka?' (How was the delivery?) is a common question among mothers in Japan.

The word also appears in literature and film, particularly in dramas focusing on family life. The 'shussan scene' is a staple of Japanese morning dramas (Asadora), where the intensity and relief of the moment are captured. In these contexts, the word emphasizes the transition into motherhood. You will also see it on greeting cards (Nengajō) where families announce a birth that happened during the previous year.

市役所で出産届を提出しました。(Shiyakusho de shussan-todoke o teishutsu shimashita. - I submitted the birth registration at the city hall.)

Daily Life: You might see 出産準備 (shussan junbi - preparation for childbirth) in stores, labeling sections for cribs, diapers, and maternity clothes.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 出産 (shussan) interchangeably with tanjō (birth/origin). While both mean 'birth,' 出産 is strictly for the physical act of a mother giving birth to a child. You cannot say the 'shussan of a new company' or the 'shussan of a new era.' For those metaphorical uses, tanjō is the correct choice. Another error is using 出産 for animals in a casual setting; while technically correct in a biological sense, it sounds overly clinical. Use umareta for your cat's kittens.

Confusing shussan with umu: Remember that shussan is a noun and umu is a verb. While shussan suru is a verb phrase, umu is more direct and slightly more grounded. You 'umu' a baby, but the 'shussan' is the event itself.
Incorrect Honorifics: When talking about someone else's birth, forgetting the 'Go-' prefix can sound a bit blunt. Always use Go-shussan when speaking to a superior or in a formal letter.

❌ 新しいアイデアの出産 (Incorrect: Childbirth of a new idea)
✅ 新しいアイデアの誕生 (Correct: Birth of a new idea)

Another nuance is the distinction between 出産 and tanjōbi. Tanjōbi is the anniversary of the birth (birthday). You wouldn't say 'My shussan is October 5th' to mean 'My birthday is October 5th.' Instead, you would say 'I was born (umareta) on October 5th' or 'My birthday (tanjōbi) is October 5th.' 出産 refers to the delivery date for the mother, not the person's recurring birthday.

Lastly, be careful with the kanji. The second kanji 産 is also used in sangyō (industry) and seisan (production). While they share a root meaning of 'producing something,' they are distinct in usage. Confusing 出産 with seisan (production) in a medical context would be a very strange mistake!

❌ 私は1990年に出産しました。(Incorrect: I gave birth in 1990 - unless you were the mother!)
✅ 私は1990年に生まれました。(Correct: I was born in 1990.)

Japanese has several words related to birth, each with its own register and nuance. 出産 (shussan) is the standard formal noun, but depending on the situation, you might choose one of the following alternatives.

お産 (O-san): A softer, more colloquial but still respectful way to refer to childbirth. It is often used by midwives and mothers. It feels more 'human' and less 'medical' than shussan.
分娩 (Bunben): A highly technical, medical term for delivery. You will see this on hospital signs (e.g., bunben-shitsu) and in medical textbooks. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
誕生 (Tanjō): Focuses on the arrival or the beginning of the new life. While shussan is about the mother's action, tanjō is about the baby's existence. It can also be used for the 'birth' of a company or a movement.
産む (Umu): The plain verb 'to give birth.' It is direct and used in both casual and formal contexts, though shussan suru is more polite for formal announcements.

Comparison:
1. 出産 (Formal/General)
2. お産 (Soft/Motherly)
3. 分娩 (Medical/Technical)

When deciding which word to use, consider your audience. If you are talking to a doctor, shussan or bunben is appropriate. If you are talking to a friend about their experience, osan or umu feels warmer. If you are writing a poetic card about the beauty of a new life, tanjō is the most evocative choice.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 産 (san) originally depicted a woman giving birth, with the top part representing hair and the bottom representing the body.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃʊs.sæn

US ʃus.sæn

The stress is even, but there is a slight emphasis on the 'san'.

Rhymes With

Kessan (Settlement) Gassan (Total) Tessan (Iron) Hassan (Divergence) Massan Yossan Kossan Bussan

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'shusan' without the double 's'.
Confusing it with 'shussen' (success).
Misplacing the pitch accent.
Pronouncing 'shu' like 'she'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'n'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require attention to the double consonant.

Writing 4/5

The kanji 'san' (産) has many strokes and is easy to miswrite.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the double 's' is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to recognize.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

赤ちゃんお母さん病院生まれる産む

Learn Next

育児幼稚園成長教育少子化

Advanced

分娩産婦人科助産師胎児陣痛

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

出産する (To give birth)

Honorific Prefix 'Go-'

ご出産 (Your/Someone else's birth)

Compound Nouns

出産予定日 (Due date)

Time conjunction 'no ato'

出産の後で (After giving birth)

Passive '...o shussan sareru'

無事に出産されました (Honorific: Safely gave birth)

Examples by Level

彼女は先月、出産しました。

She gave birth last month.

Uses the past tense of 'shussan suru'.

出産はとても大変です。

Giving birth is very difficult.

Uses 'shussan' as a noun subject.

元気な赤ちゃんを出産しました。

She gave birth to a healthy baby.

The object 'akachan' is followed by 'o'.

出産のお祝いを買いましょう。

Let's buy a gift for the childbirth celebration.

Noun + 'no' + 'oiwai'.

母は私を30歳で出産しました。

My mother gave birth to me at age 30.

Indicates the age of the mother during the act.

いつ出産しますか？

When will you give birth?

Future/present tense question.

出産は病院でします。

I will give birth at a hospital.

Indicates the location using 'de'.

出産おめでとうございます！

Congratulations on the birth!

Standard congratulatory phrase.

出産予定日は10月10日です。

The due date is October 10th.

Uses the compound 'shussan yoteibi'.

彼女は無事に出産を終えました。

She finished the delivery safely.

Adverb 'buji ni' (safely) + 'shussan'.

初めての出産は怖かったです。

My first childbirth was scary.

Modifying 'shussan' with 'hajimete no'.

出産祝いに何をあげますか？

What will you give for the baby gift?

Uses 'shussan iwai' as a single concept.

双子を出産するのは珍しいです。

Giving birth to twins is rare.

Noun clause ending in 'no wa'.

出産の後、ゆっくり休んでください。

Please rest well after giving birth.

Uses 'shussan no ato' (after birth).

どこで出産する予定ですか？

Where are you planning to give birth?

Uses 'yotei' to express a plan.

出産は命がけの仕事です。

Childbirth is a life-risking task.

Formal noun usage in a proverb-like sentence.

出産休暇を3ヶ月取る予定です。

I plan to take 3 months of maternity leave.

Uses 'shussan kyūka' (maternity leave).

日本の出産費用は高いと言われています。

It is said that childbirth costs in Japan are high.

Passive form 'iwarete imasu'.

彼女は仕事と出産の両立に悩んでいる。

She is worried about balancing work and childbirth.

Uses 'ryōritsu' (balancing two things).

夫も出産に立ち会うことができました。

The husband was also able to be present at the birth.

Uses 'shussan ni tachiau' (to witness birth).

高齢出産にはリスクが伴います。

Late-age childbirth involves risks.

Uses 'kōrei shussan' (elderly birth).

出産を機に、彼女はタバコをやめた。

Taking the birth as an opportunity, she quit smoking.

Uses '...o ki ni' (taking ... as an opportunity).

出産届は14日以内に出さなければなりません。

The birth registration must be submitted within 14 days.

Uses 'shussan-todoke' (legal birth report).

この病院は自然出産を推奨しています。

This hospital recommends natural childbirth.

Uses 'shizen shussan' (natural birth).

出産育児一時金の増額が検討されている。

An increase in the childbirth and childcare lump-sum grant is being considered.

Complex administrative noun phrase.

無痛分娩と自然出産のどちらを選ぶか迷っている。

I am hesitating between painless delivery and natural birth.

Contrasts 'bunben' and 'shussan'.

出産後のメンタルヘルスケアが重要だ。

Postpartum mental health care is important.

Uses 'shussango' (post-childbirth).

彼女の出産体験記は多くの女性に勇気を与えた。

Her account of her childbirth experience gave courage to many women.

Uses 'shussan taikenki' (birth memoir).

少子化対策として、出産への経済的支援が必要だ。

As a countermeasure to the low birth rate, economic support for childbirth is necessary.

Uses 'shōshika taisaku' (low birth rate measures).

出産は女性のキャリアに大きな影響を及ぼす。

Childbirth has a significant impact on a woman's career.

Uses 'eikyō o oyobosu' (to exert influence).

助産師は出産のプロフェッショナルです。

Midwives are professionals in childbirth.

Uses 'josanshi' (midwife).

里帰り出産をするために、実家に帰りました。

I returned to my parents' home to have a 'hometown birth'.

Uses 'satogaeri shussan' (returning home to give birth).

出産の高齢化が社会問題となっている。

The rising age of childbirth is becoming a social problem.

Uses 'shussan no kōreika' (aging of childbirth).

帝王切開による出産が増加傾向にある。

Births via Caesarean section are on the rise.

Uses 'teiō sekkai' (C-section).

出産という神秘的なプロセスに感動した。

I was moved by the mysterious process called childbirth.

Uses '...to iu' (called ...).

労働基準法では、出産の前後で休暇が保障されている。

The Labor Standards Act guarantees leave before and after childbirth.

Legal context usage.

出産に伴う身体的変化は著しい。

Physical changes accompanying childbirth are remarkable.

Uses '...ni tomonau' (accompanying ...).

彼女は難産を乗り越えて、無事に出産した。

She overcame a difficult labor and gave birth safely.

Uses 'nanzan' (difficult birth) in contrast.

出産は家庭のあり方を根本から変える。

Childbirth fundamentally changes the nature of a household.

Philosophical/sociological usage.

不妊治療の末、ようやく出産に漕ぎ着けた。

After fertility treatment, she finally managed to give birth.

Uses 'kogitsuketa' (managed to reach a goal).

出産を巡る倫理的議論が学会で交わされた。

Ethical discussions surrounding childbirth were exchanged at the academic conference.

Uses '...o meguru' (surrounding/concerning).

代理出産については、法的な整備が急務である。

Regarding surrogate birth, legal preparation is an urgent matter.

Uses 'dairi shussan' (surrogacy).

出産の歴史を紐解くと、産屋の存在が確認できる。

Unraveling the history of childbirth, the existence of 'birth huts' can be confirmed.

Historical analysis context.

生殖補助医療の進歩により、出産の選択肢が広がった。

Advances in assisted reproductive technology have expanded childbirth options.

Highly technical medical context.

出産は個人の権利であると同時に、社会の持続性に関わる。

Childbirth is an individual right and, at the same time, relates to social sustainability.

Complex logical structure '...to dōji ni'.

未婚での出産に対する社会的偏見は根強く残っている。

Social prejudice against giving birth while unmarried remains deeply rooted.

Uses 'kon-gai-shussan' (birth outside marriage) context.

出産直後の母子相互作用について研究している。

I am researching mother-infant interaction immediately after birth.

Academic research context.

出産という行為の根源的な意味を問い直す。

Questioning the fundamental meaning of the act of childbirth.

Existential/Philosophical context.

Common Collocations

出産を祝う

出産を控える

出産に立ち会う

出産を経験する

出産を報告する

出産を促す

出産に備える

出産を終える

出産を機に

出産を見守る

Common Phrases

出産予定日

— Due date. Used to ask or tell when the baby is expected.

出産予定日はいつですか？

出産祝い

— A gift given to celebrate a birth. Usually money or baby goods.

出産祝いを贈る。

出産休暇

— Maternity leave. Legal time off for giving birth.

出産休暇を取得する。

高齢出産

— Advanced maternal age birth (usually 35+). A common topic in Japan.

高齢出産は増えている。

自然出産

— Natural childbirth. Delivery without major medical intervention.

彼女は自然出産を希望した。

無痛出産

— Painless/Epidural birth. Increasingly popular in urban Japan.

無痛出産を選択する。

里帰り出産

— Returning to one's parents' home to give birth. A Japanese tradition.

里帰り出産を予定している。

出産費用

— Childbirth expenses. Often covered partially by insurance.

出産費用を計算する。

出産届

— Birth registration form. Must be filed at the city hall.

出産届を出しに行く。

出産手当金

— Childbirth allowance. A financial benefit from health insurance.

出産手当金を申請する。

Often Confused With

出産 vs 誕生

Tanjō is for the baby's arrival or metaphorical 'birth' of ideas; Shussan is the mother's act.

出産 vs 分娩

Bunben is strictly medical/technical; Shussan is general formal.

出産 vs 誕生日

Tanjōbi is the recurring anniversary; Shussan is the one-time event.

Idioms & Expressions

"案ずるより産むが易し"

— Giving birth is easier than worrying about it. Similar to 'fear is greater than the danger.'

案ずるより産むが易しというから、頑張って！

Proverb

"産みの苦しみ"

— The pain of creation. Used for the difficulty of starting something new.

新事業の立ち上げは、まさに産みの苦しみだ。

Metaphorical

"産みの親"

— Biological parent or the creator/originator of an idea.

このプロジェクトの産みの親は彼だ。

Common

"手塩に掛ける"

— To bring up with great care (related to the care after birth).

手塩に掛けて育てた娘。

Idiom

"産に臨む"

— To face childbirth; to be on the verge of giving birth.

産に臨む妻を励ます。

Formal

"安産祈願"

— Praying for a safe and easy delivery.

神社に安産祈願に行く。

Religious

"産を成す"

— To make a fortune (uses the same kanji but different meaning).

一代で大きな産を成した。

Formal

"産後の肥立ち"

— Postpartum recovery of the mother.

産後の肥立ちが良い。

Traditional

"産気づく"

— To go into labor.

夜中に出産気づいた。

Neutral

"産を分かつ"

— To give birth (literary/archaic).

新しい命と産を分かつ。

Literary

Easily Confused

出産 vs 出産 (Shussan)

Both relate to birth.

Shussan is the physical act of delivery by the mother.

彼女は出産した。

出産 vs 出生 (Shusshō)

Similar kanji and meaning.

Shusshō is used for statistics (birth rate) or legal origin.

出生率が下がっている。

出産 vs 産後 (Sango)

Contains 'san'.

Sango refers to the period *after* birth, not the birth itself.

産後のケアが大切だ。

出産 vs 産休 (Sankyū)

Abbreviation including 'san'.

Sankyū is specifically the 'leave' taken for birth.

来月から産休に入ります。

出産 vs 安産 (Anzan)

Contains 'san'.

Anzan is an adjective/noun describing an 'easy' birth.

安産でよかったです。

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は [Time] に出産しました。

母は昨日に出産しました。

[Noun] の出産祝いを [Verb]。

友達の出産祝いを買いに行きます。

出産を機に [Action]。

出産を機に仕事を辞めました。

出産予定日は [Date] です。

出産予定日は来月です。

[Type] 出産を希望する。

自然出産を希望しています。

出産に伴う [Noun]。

出産に伴うリスクを説明する。

出産を巡る [Problem]。

出産を巡る法的課題を議論する。

出産という [Abstract Noun]。

出産という奇跡を信じる。

Word Family

Nouns

出産 (Childbirth)

産婦人科 (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

産後 (Postpartum)

出産祝い (Birth gift)

Verbs

出産する (To give birth)

産む (To bear/give birth)

産まれる (To be born)

Adjectives

産気づいた (In labor - verb used as adj)

産後の (Post-birth)

育児 (Childcare)

妊娠 (Pregnancy)

分娩 (Delivery)

産休 (Maternity leave)

助産師 (Midwife)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in medical, social, and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Watashi wa 1995-nen ni shussan shimashita. → Watashi wa 1995-nen ni umaremashita.
You use 'shussan' for the mother giving birth, not for yourself being born.
Aidea no shussan. → Aidea no tanjō.
'Shussan' is only for biological birth, not ideas.
Shussan omedetō! → Go-shussan omedetō!
In most cases, adding 'Go-' is necessary for politeness.
Shussan-bi wa itsu desu ka? → Tanjōbi wa itsu desu ka?
To ask for a birthday, use 'tanjōbi'. 'Shussan-bi' is clinical.
Inu ga shussan shita. → Inu ga akachan o unda.
'Shussan' is a bit too formal for pets in casual talk.

Tips

Using with Suru

Always remember that 'shussan' needs 'suru' to function as a verb. 'Kanojo wa shussan shimashita' is the correct way to say she gave birth.

Gifts

If you are invited to a 'shussan iwai', it's common to give cash in a special envelope with a red and white bow.

Opposites

The opposite of 'anzan' (easy birth) is 'nanzan' (difficult birth). Both are useful to know.

Politeness

Adding 'Go-' before 'shussan' makes you sound very educated and respectful.

Kanji Tip

The kanji 産 is also in 'sangyō' (industry). Think of birth as the 'industry of life' to remember it.

Announcements

In Japan, birth announcements are often sent via postcards called 'hagaki'.

Hospitals

Look for '産婦人科' (Sanfujinka) for maternity clinics.

Double Consonants

Focus on the silence in the middle of 'shu-ssan'. That 'っ' is key.

Particles

Use 'o' with 'shussan suru' when specifying the baby: 'Akachan o shussan suru'.

Root

The 'shutsu' in shussan is the same as in 'deguchi' (exit).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'SHU' (shoe) coming 'OUT' (Shutsu) and 'SAN' (Sun) rising. The baby comes out like the sun rising on a new day.

Visual Association

Imagine an exit sign (出) over a hospital bed where a birth (産) is happening.

Word Web

Hospital Baby Mother Doctor Pain Joy Gift Leave

Challenge

Try to use 'shussan' in a sentence describing a famous person's baby news today.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese, combining 'shutsu' (exit) and 'san' (production/birth).

Original meaning: The act of something being produced or emerging from a source.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when using the term around couples struggling with infertility, as 'shussan' is a heavy topic in Japan.

In the West, 'delivery' is more common in hospitals, while 'childbirth' is general. Shussan covers both.

Princess Aiko's birth was a massive national 'shussan' event. The drama 'Kounodori' (Dr. Stork) focuses on 'shussan'. Japanese government 'shōshika' reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital Visit

出産予定日はいつですか？
分娩室はどこですか？
無痛出産は可能ですか？
出産費用を教えてください。

Workplace

出産休暇を申請します。
出産のお祝いを渡しましょう。
彼女は出産で休みです。
出産後に復職します。

Family Talk

無事に出産しました！
出産のお祝い、ありがとう。
初めての出産で緊張しています。
里帰り出産をします。

News/Media

有名人が出産を発表した。
日本の出産率が低下している。
出産支援金が増額された。
高齢出産のリスクについて。

Government Office

出産届を提出します。
出産手当金の申請方法。
母子手帳と出産。
出産に関する助成金。

Conversation Starters

"出産のお祝いには何がいいと思いますか？ (What do you think is good for a baby gift?)"

"最近、友達が出産したんです。 (A friend of mine recently gave birth.)"

"出産休暇について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about maternity leave?)"

"日本の出産費用は高いですか？ (Is the cost of childbirth high in Japan?)"

"出産に立ち会うお父さんが増えていますね。 (Fathers attending births are increasing, aren't they?)"

Journal Prompts

もし子供ができたら、どこで出産したいですか？ (If you had a child, where would you want to give birth?)

日本の出産文化について、驚いたことはありますか？ (Is there anything that surprised you about Japanese birth culture?)

出産祝いをもらった時の気持ちを想像して書いてください。 (Imagine and write about how you would feel receiving a birth gift.)

少子化と出産の関係について、あなたの意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on the relationship between the low birth rate and childbirth.)

「案ずるより産むが易し」という諺を自分の経験に当てはめて書いてください。 (Apply the proverb 'Anzuru yori umu ga yasashi' to your own experience.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Shussan' is a formal noun/suru-verb, while 'umu' is a plain verb. Use 'shussan' in formal situations.

It's better to use 'umareta' or 'uminda'. 'Shussan' sounds a bit too human and clinical for pets.

Say 'Go-shussan omedetō gozaimasu'.

Yes, but you would specify 'Teiō-sekkai de no shussan'.

It's the tradition of a woman returning to her parents' home to give birth and recover.

No, use 'tanjō' or 'setsuritsu' for that.

Yes, it is essential for intermediate learners to discuss life events and social issues.

It means 'expected date of childbirth' or 'due date'.

It is written as 出産.

Yes, it is the standard word used when a celebrity has a baby.